Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations -- extensive card writing,endless baking, de corating, and even overspending. Yet still, I foundmyself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and ofcourse, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an excitingseason for a six-year-old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for hisschool's "Winter Pageant".

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of theproduction. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with histeacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of thepresentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome tocome then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early,found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I sawseveral other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, thestudents were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by theirteacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one,rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holidayas "Christmas", I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercialentertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightlytaken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzymittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in thefront row - center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spellout th e title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas,"a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on andon, until each child holding up his portion had presented the completemessage, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; asmall, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W." The audience of 1stthrough 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she hadno idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her"W." Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughtercontinued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. Ahush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in thefirst place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for ourfestivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message readloud and clear:

"C H R I S T WA S L O V E"

And, I believe, He still is. Amazed in His presence... Humbled by Hislove.

May each of you have a Merry Christmas as you reflect on His Amazing Love!